Vitamin D

I love the ol debate about vitamin D...Many docs say standing outside in the sun for ten minutes is all you need...And don't worry about skin cancer while you're out there....

I think that's it's like anything else. If you are deficient, or not where you want to be, with the sun exposure that you get or are comfortable with then you take a suppliment to get there. My Vit D level was 45 at my last test. Deficiency is 30 or less. Although I am not deficient, I would like to get to 70-100 so I am taking 2000 IU a day to get there.

Living in the desert southwest, naturally delivered by the sun, vitamin D is plentiful. For those living in higher latitudes ,not so much so. It truly matters where you live and how much sun you get that can drive deficiency in vitamin D.

Vitamin D3 is absolutely important to a prostate cancer patient. If not against the disease, but for all of it's other benefits ~ bone health, dietary health, etc.

Tony

David........just like a lot of ranges for markers, the "normal" range is not necessarily "optimal" for all people. I've been wrestling with Low T, Low Vitamin D-3, low ferritin, etc.

What I've been able to learn is that D-3 is not a vitamin at all, but a pre or prohormone, and necessary for not only all the usual things listed, but hormone production as well. I just started the 50K IU p/week protocol referenced in the NY Times article in an effort to get the D-3 levels up into at least the mid-range...60-70. I started at 25, then after 8 months of 1000IU p/day supplementation, I came up to 36. Still quite low............I and the pros I'm working with are confident that with proper D-3, iron and zinc levels, we may not have to cross the controversial Testosterone bridge. And, if we do, I'll be that much further down the road if I stay undetectable. ----------as I get a handle on this, and am further into "treatment", I'll keep you all posted on this.

Arnie in DE

I think the 70-100 range is recommended by Dr. Myers. I'm not sure of all the science behind his recommendation.

I spend a fair amount of time outdoors in the southern US (without sunscreen, usually) and my vitamin D level was low 30's when first tested last July. I've gotten it to 70 on the last test (in early spring) with supplements, so the pills have worked for me to get the serum level up. Big question is whether it really impacts progression of the cancer.

BTW, Myers recommends taking vit D with a large meal, but not with oatmeal.

Do you guys who take 3000 iu or 4000 iu or more of Vitamin D3 per day get regular tests of serum calcium levels? Do your docs recommend that, to monitor agains the risk of hypercalcemia?

Vitamin D deficiency is nothing new, especially for those who live in the Northeast U.S. During the Spring and Summer months, not as much of a problem because we have more hours of daylight and spend more of our time outdoors. My doctor checks my D levels in November and I tend to be borderline so she recommended a supplement of 1,000 IU each day. This is in addition to the calcium +D that I take twice a day and the multivitamin which also has D in it. As with so many things, there is a double edged sword buried in here. As Arnie pointed out, vitamin D helps in the production of hormones. Now, for a man (especially one diagnosed with PCa) that may be a good thing but for some women, not necessarily so since increased hormones (especially post menopausal) may lead to breast or uterine problems. The same is true for soy-based products...good for the heart but may cause problems for those with a history of breast disease. A case in point is a woman I worked with who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40s. She is a big believer in organic, natural foods and started using soy-based products to avoid animal proteins. During a consult with her oncologist, she revealed this to him and got a big "no no" because her disease happened to be estrogen positive and the soy would feed the estrogen levels in her body. Another friend was diagnosed with uterine cancer and was using a meal replacement program utilizing soy protein. She too was told to lighten up on soy - too much is not necessarily a good thing.

I am not against vitamin/mineral supplements but am against self-prescribing them. The use of supplements - especially the dosage - is not something to be taken lightly as there are many that can create severe problems depending on health conditions (vitamin K is one of those that can be very bad for some people). Vitamin/mineral supplementation is not a one size fits all situation - what works for one person may be harmful to another.

Medved, you state that Dr. Strum recommends having a blood level of 80 ng. of D to minimize risk of prostate cancer. It would seem to me that this could work as a preventative measure - e.g., for those guys who do not have prostate cancer. Does he recommend this for men who have already been diagnosed and are working to avoid a recurrence of the disease?

Sephie,

You gave a great answer, and I will add to yours, it can be downright dangerous to "self supplement" yourself. There are plenty of vitamins and supplements that can decrease the effectivness of prescribed meds. Before a person goes that route, I thik they should sit down with their GP if they have one, or doctor, and make sure that any prescription meds wont be interfered with the supplements. Also on supplements, some of these mega doses that people take can cause problems and create medical issues. Needs to be done hand in hand with a good doctor.

David in SC

I get 1000 iu of vit d from multi vit + I chew 1200IU from tablet D3. Whats the difference tween D and D3. Also live in Hawaii, active outdoors, hope its not too much. I get skin cancer check every 6 mos.

Logo, lucky you living in Hawaii! Good on you that you get a skin cancer check every 6 months...any particular reason for this (past/family history)? about 7 years ago, I went to the dermatologist to have some "things" on my back checked out. They were fine (keratoses or age spots). After the derm was through checking my back, I turned around to talk to him and he stopped me mid sentence, pointed to my right clavicle (collarbone) and said "what's that?" I looked down and said "oh that...my bra strap rubs against that spot and it gets a bit irritated." He looked at me like I had 19 heads, said "I'll bet you a dollar that's basal cell skin cancer", took a biopsy, and sure enough I have a scar about 2 inches long where the skin cancer was removed. Since then I have annual check ups. Hate to wear sunscreen on a daily basis but do wear it when I'm out for extended periods of time in the sun.

Sorry to highjack this thread with "another" cancer...back to our regular programming.